(ST. PAUL, MN) – On March 16th, Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) held a hearing on research funding for the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Committee. The bill, Senate File 3057, appropriates 675,000 dollars to update and automate testing for the swine sickness at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (VDL). While other bills were dropped from the hearing schedule as the legislature prepared to take an extended Easter Recess as a precaution against COVID-19 concerns, this bill was prioritized. Farm groups like the Pork Producers, MN State Cattlemen, and soybean farmers all benefit from and the testing that goes on at the VDL. Major players have grown increasingly concerned in the face of Senate adjournment until March 27th and possibly beyond.
“There is a need for speed because we will need to run a lot of tests if a disease outbreak occurs,” said Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake). “We are experiencing what happens in the case of an outbreak in humans, right now. Our situation highlights that the VDL needs to be prepared to protect our food chain, as well.”
Speedy passage of SF 3057 is crucial for purchasing new technology to increase the capacity of the VDL. It’s vital for farmers, as 5% of a herd has to be tested negative after an outbreak to bring any of them to market. Due to the nature of pork production, one major outbreak could impact thousands of animals. The disease originated in China, where it decimated 50% of their swine herds.
The University of Minnesota has stated that this bill will allow them to more than double their equipment and testing ability. ASF is the number one priority for the MN Pork Producers. Commissioner Thom Petersen testified in favor of the bill, which passed to the Senate Finance Committee for further action.